Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera was seen among the invitees who attended an event that took place under President Maithripala Sirisena's auspices, in Japan.

Gnanasara Thera came under severe criticism from many quarters in the wake of the recent racially-motivated violence in kandy. 

The controversial monk also attended a discussion that took place under the auspices of the President, in Japan. Many other Buddhist monks in Japan also attended the discussion. 

Informed government sources said it was a meeting with the chief incumbents of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temples in Japan. Gananasara Thera, according to them, had attended the event as a Chief Incumbent of a Buddhist temple in Japan. 

The development took place just a week after the racially motivated violence in Kandy. 

The President is currently on an officially visit to Japan, along with Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Malik Samarawickrama and Thilak Marapana.